Cloud9: Perfect in LCS Week 3, Tough Week 4

Cloud9 Week 3 Review

Cloud9 Soars Over FlyQuest (3-1)

Image Courtesy of Riot Games

Cloud9 kept their unstoppable ball rolling through Week 3 with a win over FlyQuest. In mid-January FlyQuest announced TreeQuest, a new initiative for this split where they plant trees based on kills, dragons and wins. Before this match, Cloud9 agreed to match any trees planted for this game. The two teams combined to plant a total of 216 trees this game.

Rotations were on point for Cloud9 this game. FlyQuest would try to copy Cloud9 and roam to another lane, until they met the majority of Cloud9 in the jungle. This was made significantly easier due to Robert “Blaber” Huang taking Zombie Ward, enabling Cloud9 to eliminate FlyQuest’s vision and replace it with their own. An example of this was when Yasin “Nisqy” Dincer roamed to the bottom lane and Licorice took over patrolling the midlane until Nisqy returned. On top of lane swaps, Cloud9 would not let FlyQuest trade objectives. After taking Baron, FlyQuest tried to bait Cloud9 into contesting an Infernal Drake. When the FlyQuest flank came, Cloud9 initiated the fight before FlyQuest was ready and destroyed the team and took the Drake.

Player of the Match: Phillipe “Vulcan” Laflamme, Cloud9

The Prince of Protect and Peel. Vulcan is easily the unsung hero of the team and this match was no exception. His ability to peel for and protect Zven and at times Nisqy from certain death is second to none. He led roams through FlyQuest’s jungle with no fear, as FlyQuest should fear him. Numerous times FlyQuest would try to end Zven’s deathless streak only to see a hulking Nautilus lurching towards them, insulating Zven.

Don’t think this game was a flash in the pan for Vulcan. He has played this way the whole split, especially because he has spent most of his time on Nautilus. With this outstanding performance in his pocket, Vulcan looks to continue his under the radar MVP play into Week 4.

Dignitas (3-2) No Match for Cloud9

Image Courtesy of Riot Games

This game was Cloud9’s most dominant showing by far. Cloud9 destroyed 11 towers while allowing a whopping zero towers destroyed by Dignitas. Nisqy and Blaber set the tempo early with a first blood three minutes into the match. These two would roam the whole game, resulting in Nisqy finishing the game more than 60 down from his lane opponent in Henrik “Froggen” Hansen. In theory this would put Froggen significantly ahead, but as Nisqy would roam, he would hit Dignitas with a Sleep Trouble Bubble and Nisqy would collect his 300 gold for the kill. 

Dignitas played like Eric “Licorice” Ritchie’s Aatrox was permanently in his World Ender state, constantly running in fear. Somehow Froggen managed to finally kill Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen, but at what cost? His whole team and a dragon soul. Effectively sealing the game for Cloud9 and a 6-0 start to the season.

Player of the Match: Nisqy, Cloud9

Nisqy was an absolute beast this game on Zoe.  His perfectly placed Paddle Stars and Sleepy Trouble Bubbles both directly and indirectly caused many deaths for Dignitas. Just looking at the final scoreboard does not even come close to what Nisqy did in the game. When he disappeared from vision, Dignitas would immediately retreat under tower, not knowing where Nisqy would appear.

Previewing Week 4

Team SoloMid (TSM): 4-2

Photo by lolesports Flickr (Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)

Not many teams can match up with Cloud9, and this iteration of Team SoloMid (TSM) is no different. These two teams have had many historic games, often meeting in the Finals for each split. Of the first 10 NALCS Champions, Cloud9 and TSM combined for eight of the wins. 

Cloud9 has a significant advantage in both the Top and Bottom lanes. While Joshua “Dardoch” Hartnett has the ability to change a game through the jungle, the pendulum swings the opposite way as well, as some have described his play-style as “turbo-inting” at times. Contrary to Dardoch, Soren “Bjergsen” Bjerg is without a doubt the most important and consistent player on TSM. With success on his unexpected Ornn midlane pick last week, Bjergsen will look to keep Cloud9 guessing early and often.

Player to Watch: Bjergsen, TSM

Quite literally the name of the team requires a strong midlane presence. Without a doubt Bjergsen has been the best player on TSM since he arrived in Season 3, often resulting in TSM having the label of “Bjerg and 4 wards.” Bjergsen is capable of taking over and change the outcome of the game on his own and has on multiple occasions.

Bjergsen has not died this split on his signature Syndra pick. TSM will look to pick Syndra, which gives him the best chance at keep pace with Nisqy, but Cloud9 banning Syndra is a strong possibility.

Prediction – Cloud9

Evil Geniuses (EG): 2-4

Image Courtesy of LoL Esports Flickr

Evil Geniuses (EG) came into the season as one of the most hyped rosters in recent memory. With that said, they have woefully underperformed to say the least. EG have a few familiar faces, with Jungler Dennis “Svenskeren” Johnsen, 2019 MVP, Support Tristan “Zeyzal” Stidam and Top Laner Colin “Kumo” Zhao all playing for Cloud9 last year. Daniele “Jiizuke” Di Mauro is playing his first split in the LCS after playing 3 seasons in the LEC. Jiizuke is a sneaky good midlaner and could punish Nisqy if the latter chooses to roam early and often. 

Overall, this game is shaping up to be a good match, if and only if EG has managed to create some synergy since Week 3. If they have not established any, then expect another Cloud9 stomp. So far EG looks to lack cohesion and strategy. But their two victories have been against two of the top teams in the LCS, FlyQuest and 100 Thieves. These wins prove that EG has what it takes to take down a superior team, but they also have handed over to Counter Logic Gaming their only win so far this split.

Player to Watch: Licorice, Cloud9

Master vs Apprentice. Starter vs Backup. This match up writes it’s own headlines with Licorice facing off against ex-Cloud9 top lane backup member Kumo. Fortunately for Cloud9 Kumo has only found success on Aatrox, and Licorice is the best Aatrox in the LCS. Although Licorice does have a much larger champion pool, so banning Aatrox early would hurt Kumo more.

Both teams will actively try to shut down the opposing bottom lane, this leaves Licorice and Kumo on an island on the top of the map. This is where Licorice shines, constant one on one battles, where he can showcase his superior mechanics and play. Cloud9 picking Fiora for Licorice will not be surprising at all. Licorice wants the dueling queen under his control so he can take advantage of the lack of attention top lane will receive.

Prediction – Cloud9